ASoG and AdZU Hold Third Part of Federalism Discussions in Zamboanga City

The Ateneo de Zamboanga University together with the Ateneo School of Government conducted the forum titled “Are You Fed? Part III: A Forum on the Economic, Social and Political Viability in the Philippines” last 13 November 2018 at Subanen Hall, Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City. The event was attended by more than 250 participants from the academe, indigenous peoples, government officials, members of the LGBT community, religious sectors, and the youth.

The first speaker, Prof. Conrado “Ding” Generoso, spokesperson to the Consultative Committee to Review the 1987 Constitution, emphasized that the Bayanihan Draft aims to bring back Filipino’s trust to the government by breaking up the monopoly of power concentrated among political dynasties, the elite, and the central government.

Subsequently, Ateneo Policy Center Senior Research Fellow Atty. Michael Henry Yusingco emphasized that the federalism shift poses a huge risk especially since any reform can happen in the process of amending or revising our constitution. However, he asserted that if federalism is the path the nation wants to take, the recently enacted Bangsamoro Organic Law can provide good take off points in achieving this cause.

Finally, Ateneo School of Government Dean Ronald U. Mendoza PhD highlighted that good governance is possible even without charter change if only Congress will pass critical reforms such as the anti-political dynasties bill. He concluded the forum with a call to the attendees to help focus the federalism discourse not on individual gains of persons, provinces, or even regions but for the greater good of all Filipinos.

[Gallery] ASoG and AdZU Hold Third Part of Federalism Discussions in Zamboanga City